By Gina Yarbrough
Oceanside, CA–A man was found unresponsive in the water and later pronounced dead Sunday following an early morning search near the Oceanside Pier, authorities said.
The Oceanside Fire Department Lifeguard Division and the Oceanside Police Department responded at about 4:30 a.m. to a report of a missing adult male who was last seen in the ocean shortly after 4 a.m., according to officials. A witness reported seeing the man in the water near the pier.
Lifeguards and police launched a coordinated search using vantage points from the pier, surveillance cameras and watercraft. The search was suspended around 5:30 a.m. after no one was located.
At approximately 10:50 a.m., lifeguards found an unresponsive adult male in the water near Lifeguard Tower 12 at Oceanside Harbor Beach. The individual matched the description of the missing person reported earlier, authorities said.
The man was pulled from the water, and CPR was initiated. Oceanside Fire personnel transported him to Tri-City Medical Center while continuing resuscitation efforts. He was later pronounced dead.
Officials said the deceased is believed to be the same individual reported missing earlier in the morning. His identity has not been released pending notification of next of kin.
Lifeguards urged the public to use caution when entering the ocean, particularly during early morning hours or when towers are not staffed. Swimmers are advised to stay near open lifeguard towers and avoid entering the water alone.
